Another quick update

Sherrianne's surgery went fine and she is doing well. For as crazy as last week was, this week is just the opposite--it has been (at least for me) very refreshing.

Sturgis Falls Parade is Saturday and we enjoy doing that as a family. We have a wedding on Saturday which I know will be wonderful and beautiful! It's so exciting to see God working in the lives of couples as they have honored Him and waited for His perfect match for them.

I'm excited that summer is here and we'll be able to enjoy the pool and fun that all of that brings. I'm also excited because our church is starting our remodeling project. I can't wait to see the end product. We will miss the paneling--(sorry Steve and Janice), but I think it won't take too much counseling to get over that!

God is good and will always be there for us!!

Love to all!

Wendy

It Seems like FOREVER!

I have finally turned the corner. WOW! what a month it has been! I feel like I've been living the life of the foolish man who built his house on the sand. I learned in many ways over the past weekend that I need to be firmly grounded. If my spiritual, mental and emotional state are not solid, my life will shift around and go absolutely wild!!!! I've also learned a lesson about not allowing others lives and problems consume you. It's wonderful to be their for your friends as they are going through struggles and trials--but you need to just be a sounding board. Don't let their issues or problems consume your life to the point of it being a trial for you as well. I've discovered, I'm not very good at that.

I continually think back to Phyllis Roth's funeral how Pastor John pointed out that she never complained. Even in her last days of life her whole focus was the needs of others, knowing that God would supply her every need. My goal is to be that way. I know that it will take a lot of work, but I do believe that it can be done. I've seen it. As I continue to rely solely on God to provide my peace and comfort, how can you complain?

I want to say a special thank you to Tammy and Jenni--they both helped me come back from the black hole that had sucked me in. I thank God daily for my friends.

Sherrianne's off for her second ear surgery. Nothing major just some housecleaning--or ear cleaning as it would be. Please pray for her for comfort and peace.

Love to all of you!

Wendy

I totally don't know what day it is!!!

Have you ever had one of those days when you really don't know what day it is or even where you're supposed to be?? Well, this WEEK has been that way--I feel like I'm going 20 different directions at 40 different times of the day. It's so amazing how many dishes can pile up when you only have three people eating--or of course unless Bella decides to eat. Which she did today. Sherrianne had left at some chocolate pudding out and Bella decided to enjoy the rest of it.

Sherrianne will be having another surgery on her ear on Tuesday. They need to get it cleaned out and fix one little hole so it will be easier if they just put her under, but it won't be as bad as the first one, more like when they put tubes in. So, then hopefully that will work better.

Mike's been working overtime and playing softball and enjoys the softball.

Please continue to pray for the flood victims some dear friends of ours were hit hard--but thankfully our church has been there to help.

We love all of you - if you want something cool to look at go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/7966692@N05/ my girlfriend sells these cookie bouquets and they are awesome.

Enjoy the wonderful weather!

What a way to start a night!

I can't go into great detail, but I received a very upsetting call last night. To give you a quick background, my growing up years were far from good. I know everyone has ghosts in their closets and I'm no different, but if any of you knew my family you wouldn't believe the stories. Anyway-the situation has escalated even more over the last 6 years. My fathers "care giver" called to let me know they were back in the house but wanted me to find a boat and come and get my father so that she could take care of her things without caring for him. Now mind you, this call came at 10:15 p.m. She was telling me how confused he was and how this was upsetting him and that he was doing strange things. I told her that he was probably having another stroke and that she should either get in HER boat and get him to the hospital or contact the people the have the Durable Power of Attorney over him. The conversation proceed on with her telling me in no uncertain terms that I had caused all of these problems with him and that if he died it was going to be all my fault. (I left out the unnecessary words that she used). Because this is not the first time she has addressed me this way, I was not shocked, but it does still hurt. She tells my father I don't want to see him, but she has told me that if anyone in my family comes into her home she will have us arrested for trespassing. My father lives in the other half of her home. She said she didn't know what to do and I told her what my opinion was--he needs to be in a nursing home--in the last four weeks he has fallen 4 times--one time he said that he laid there for four hours before he could get up. When they moved them to a hotel because of the flood, he fell forward and hit his head on a cement column, but they didn't have him checked out.

I'm sorry to be so gloom and doom today, that isn't my style, but my heart is heavy. I'm so thankful that my Heavenly Father will never leave me or forsake me and that my daughter has a wonderful man she can call Daddy.

Happy Father's Day to all of the dad's out there! You are all awesome and deserve to be honored.

Love to all!
Wendy

Rain, Pain and no Gain

It's been awhile since I've posted. I'll get you updated on Sherrianne and then move on from there. We went down to Iowa City and we have decided that we will be having another knee surgery sometime this summer. Dr. Wolf will be taking her quad muscle and moving over to the side to help stabilize her knee. Her ear looks good and so far - thankfully - the graft is holding.

Now for the pain--we are surrounded by water. The dam in Waterloo has broken as well as in Charles City and Nashua. It's very hard at times like these to understand God's plan--it just really makes you realize how important it is to stay close to Him and keep Him your main priority. I'm continually praying for all of the people in the Cedar Valley. First the horrible damage of the tornadoes and now the devastation from flooding. You feel so limited.

Thankfully, at this time we don't have any problems--I wish we had a huge house so everyone could just come and stay together. I pray for all of you--that God will walk with you through this--just as he has promised he would!

Love and prayers to all!!

Wendy

We made it through Wednesday!

We made it through Wednesday without much trouble. I did learn something about my husband. He CAN speed when he has too! (Is that the right too?) I first had the honor of singing at the funeral of Phyllis Roth. This is one lady I wish I would have had a better and longer chance to get to know. For just the little bit that I had was pure sweetness and pure Jesus. Then it was off to Iowa City to meet with our doctors there regarding Sherrianne. So we made it down there and met with them and we've decided that we will be doing another surgery sometime this summer. The first surgery gave us two years, so if we can get two more years from this one, that will get us closer to being able to get more permanence from the surgeries.

I just really don't know that I'm ready for this again. I know God will not give us more than we can bear, and He did bring us through all of the pain and surgery two years ago and I know he can do it again, I just feel like somehow I have failed Sherrianne. I know it's not true. I know God gave her this special knee for a purpose and a reason. My bottom line is is it's just not fair!! I know that sounds selfish, but she's only 7 and can't ride a bike because her knee will pop out if she does. She can't dance, do karate, soccer, t-ball, volleyball, tennis---anything that might cause that knee to subluxate out. I wish I felt like I could give her something in place of those things. She is starting to notice and actually probably has for longer than we realize that she is not like other kids and is very limited on what activities she can do. It just breaks my heart. I really think I'm struggling more with that then the fact that we're doing another surgery. AAUUUGGGHHH!! It's so hard to be a parent.

I thank God that He gives me the words to say to her every time we talk about her knee. Because I don't know what to say or to do. But God does.

We had Tina's shower Wednesday evening and it was a blast. It's always so fun for women to get together.

I'm meeting with Joanne Crabb tomorrow about our women's ministry. I'm really excited to see how everything falls in place. It's so exciting to be a part of something God is doing. We'll be starting our remodel of our church soon and that's going to be awesome. I can't wait!

Well all, my little trooper has fallen asleep on the couch so I need to get her off to bed and then get me tucked in too.

Love to all!
Wendy

How Time Flies!

I can't believe that it's June 1st! We are all doing okay. Sherrianne's surgery on her ear went well. We go back this week for her post-op. We finally got our air conditioners in today--so nice--but not for the electric bill. We'll be sitting in darkness a lot!! Oh well, I heard that it really isn't bad for your eyes to do that anyway!

I talked to my dad today--I don't think his health is doing very well. This last stroke/heart attack that he had has really done some damage. I really feel he needs to be in a nursing home, but that would literally kill him. It was hard enough when he put mom in. But, if that's what will keep him safe it may be the only option. It just really stinks to be the only kid and have to be in that position again. God will get us through it and I'm sure my weak emotions is God's way of making me rely on Him. He knows I'm not good at that!

I pray that you all had a great Memorial Day and continue to remember the tornado victims in your prayers.

Love to all of you!